Stories for January 24, 2011

Less than a third of California’s counties are prepared to deal with the unique needs of homeless teens and young adults. A new study by the California Homeless Youth Project finds that only 19 counties have such accommodations.

In what could one day be looked upon as one of the more significant programs of his tenure in the White House, President Barack Obama today announced an ambitious set of new government-wide policies to improve the lives of military families that addresses everything from veteran homelessness and job opportunities for spouses to child-care and financial problems.

This provocative episode of NOVA scienceNOW examines whether we can slow down the aging process, looks at the latest on human hibernation, and checks in with bioengineers and a computer scientist inventing ways to keep us "going forever." Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts.

In this episode, host Mark L. Walberg meets appraiser Rafael Eledge aboard the USS Midway, the longest-serving U.S. Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century, to discuss the evolution of a 19th-century sailor’s side arm: the cutlass. Highlights from episode two in San Diego include an 18th-century ivory carved crèche that could be worth up to 30 times what the owner paid for it; a beautifully preserved banner from George Washington’s inauguration ball; and a circa 1800 asmalyk rug from Turkmenistan, valued at $125,000 to $150,000.

Pat Finn originally wrote this piece for “Culture Lust” when she read that Skeet Ulrich was being kicked off “Law & Order: Los Angeles.” He’s still out, but now the series, which was supposed to return in February, has abruptly been pulled from NBC’s schedule altogether, which makes Pat even unhappier.

As I heard Morning Edition launch into a story this morning about diplomatic documents being leaked to the press, I assumed WikiLeaks was up to its old tricks. But no… it was Al Jazeera that got its hands on documents that shed new light on Middle East peace talks.

Bruce Reznik, former executive director of San Diego Coastkeeper, looks back on his 11 years as the head of one of the city's most influential environmental organizations. Reznik talks about the accomplishments he's most proud of, and the issues he hopes environmental community will address in the future.

What can the U.S. and Mexico do to prevent future ocean contamination from sewage spills along the border? What can San Diego do to reduce contamination in our local waterways? We talk about what caused the recent sewage spill that forced beach closures in Imperial Beach.

There's more to a great Superbowl party menu than chips and salsa. On this month's Food Hour, we huddle to discuss the best food for your superbowl party. And how everyone, men included, can get in the pre-game food prep.

Finding somewhere affordable to live in San Diego is not easy. For low-income earners it is particularly hard. But local funding for more affordable housing is one of the victims of Gov. Brown’s budget plan.

The North County Transit District raised its fares four years ago then saw its commuter rail system, the Coaster, lose 2,000 passengers a day. But today the price of gas is going up and transit fares in North County are going down.